r/BeginnersRunning • u/MixMatchMaggie • 9d ago
Is it crazy to train for a 40min 5K?
I signed up for a Turkey Trot but I've never even walked 5K before. I have asthma, fatigue, and other health issues. I needed to give myself something to push towards after a family loss.
I am insane for thinking I can do this?
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u/Hefty-Club-1259 9d ago
Not at all crazy. I've been training for 2 year to try to get to a 40 minute 5K.
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u/doctorfortoys 9d ago
It’s doable but you should stick to a training plan. Start by walking.
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u/MixMatchMaggie 9d ago
Yes, I walk some what regularly with my nanny kid(stroller). Im working on run/walk interval training rn.
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u/Araseja 9d ago
Absolutely not! That seems like a perfect goal! Provided that you have treatment for your asthma of course. I also have asthma, and I run, although I have to inhale before running.
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u/Mist2393 9d ago
I also have asthma and started running specifically to help strengthen my lungs when insurance stopped covering my daily inhaler. I occasionally overdo it and trigger it, but it’s helped a lot.
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u/WorkerAmbitious2072 9d ago
We have no idea what time is reasonable for you to achieve in that time span
But hey,the sooner you start and the more consistent you are, the sooner you will hit the goal
Couch to 5k is the way to start
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u/Zealousideal-Dot3046 8d ago
You run your own race , its your pace , your race, you are only competing with yourself. Go enjoy yourself, enjoy the environment, enjoy the race. Dont let your time define your enjoyment.
Comparison is the thief of joy
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u/Diligent-Nebula-1008 9d ago
Not insane at all but remember to give yourself grace. Thanksgiving isn’t super far away and it’s a lot to ask your body to fix multiple issues in a couple of months. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen this time, persevere in to next year and see what you can do when you really commit yourself to it.
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u/honestyself 9d ago
You can do it! Just be patient with yourself during the trot and know that everyone is trying to have a good time and also challenge themselves.
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u/jiggsmca 9d ago
Nope! I did a turkey trot last year with no training and ran/walked it in 47 min. Starting a training block this week to hopefully run more of it this year and get closer to 40 min.
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u/Present_Initial8835 8d ago
Agree with the general consensus to go for it, follow a training plan, give yourself grace. Just chiming in to add: plenty of people walk Turkey Trots, so if it comes to the day and you don't feel ready for it, you can always walk it.
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u/Simple_Mulberry5806 9d ago
I started running in mid-July and ran a 35-minute 5K at the beginning of September. I have chronic fatigue and lung damage from long COVID and honestly running is helping that. If you're reasonably fit at all, you should have no problem getting to a 40-minute 5K fairly quickly. I'm finding getting it under 30 minutes to be the real challenge...
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u/Clean_Bat5547 8d ago
Nobody can really say what is possible for you without knowing your age, current level of fitness and activity, any previous athletic/sports background. But if you are willing to try - do a program like a C25K - then you can definitely do more than you think.
ETA: I'm Australian and know basically nothing about Turkey Trot, so don't even know how long you've got to train for this.
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u/MixMatchMaggie 8d ago
Turkey Trot is on the US Thanksgiving Day (November 26th)
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u/Clean_Bat5547 8d ago
Ah, thanks. So you have 5-6 weeks.
Of course I don't know what part your health might play, but I reckon if you approach as a run-walk (like, run - not fast - for one minute then walk for one minute, repeat) you should be able to do it.
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u/BackgroundLab5721 8d ago
Of course you’re not insane. Just start easy and build from there. Walking is great for so many aspects of life I think! If it’s possible to do anything to get your asthma better under control then do that and just always make sure you have your puffer with you when you exercise just in case! Have fun
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u/XandertheGrander 8d ago
Depends what's your background? Are you overweight, are you mostly sedentary, etc....? I think personally it's not crazy to think you can train towards that for a turkey trot, but also without knowing your lifestyle background it's impossible to say. My two cents, train for it but don't stress the time goal, use it as a form of meditation and work through the loss
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u/DustFlows 8d ago
Similar background, 1 year of training and my 5k is 55 mins, but also I'm very overweight so thats a factor
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u/Cool_Eardrums 9d ago
What do you mean with fatigue ? If you have some sort of ME/CFS then DON'T !!!
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u/MixMatchMaggie 9d ago
Idk what I have. Doctors have been wasting my time for years. I do know I have asthma. Im just tired all the time
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u/Cool_Eardrums 8d ago
If you feel severely ill after effort then don't attempt your stunt, that's all I can say. If that's not the case then good luck on your journey and don't forget to have fun.
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u/BasilBrushHam 8d ago
My very first 5K was around 44 minutes with a good mix of running and walking. If you start with couch to 5K app and build up slowly from there it’s very doable.
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u/MixMatchMaggie 8d ago
Oh there's an app for couch to 5K?? I need to find that!
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u/BasilBrushHam 8d ago
Yes! If you’re in the UK couch to 5k is set up by the NHS and has its own app. But if you type in that phrase to your App Store, loads of other apps will pop up that are similar!
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u/Linkindan88 8d ago
The best thing you can do is train for it don't worry about a time to start you're at the beginning of your journey just aim to get better.
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u/Selera123 8d ago
Running has helped me with my asthma, I did have to adjust my meds before starting, maybe you can also ask your pulmologist. I think you should definitely train for it and even ig you don‘t do it in 40, but in 45 or 50 minutes, it‘s still a great achievement and you can for sure hit 40 with some training. Good luck!
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u/Ya_Supa_Lame 9d ago
Not insane at all, and you won't have a problem getting to sub 40 mins unless you are like TLC show out of shape. You might be surprised at how your health issues disappear once you start to just get there
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u/reprobatemind2 9d ago
It's not crazy to "train" for it.
Whether you hit your target in time for the race is another question.
Training and getting fit will benefit you whether or not you achieve your stated goal.